Marine uses WPI know-how to devise bomb detection tool

U.S. Marines are known for being physically strong, brave and tough; they’re not usually known as scholarly scientists in lab coats.

But Sgt. Jason Cox, a graduate student in chemistry at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and a self-described “nerd,” hopes to broaden that image.

Since 2003, Sgt. Cox has been a reservist with the Corps and in early 2006 he was deployed to Fallujah, Iraq.

At the time, he was engaged to be married and had begun working toward his doctorate two months earlier. The timing wasn’t the best, but Sgt. Cox made the most of it. During his seven-month tour, he served as a fire team leader and spent much of his time in the turret of a Humvee, where he and his colleagues were often exposed to roadside bombs known as improvised explosive devices, or IEDs.

With his science background, Sgt. Cox recognized that infrared imaging could be used to detect the roadside bombs, which are designed to detonate when vehicles or pedestrians pass by; IEDs have killed and injured many soldiers.

He utilized equipment already available in his battalion, but used for other functions, to design a completely new detection device. The combat-ready device spots IED triggering systems that are almost impossible to see with the naked eye or with other military techniques, he said.

“IEDs are frustrating. No matter how much you do right, you may not be able to escape being hit,” said Sgt. Cox, whose battalion lost 11 people during his tour, about half of them to roadside bombs.

Sgt. Cox says his invention started with curiosity and came about through necessity and luck: “I was lucky to have a different background than most Marines.”

He was familiar with infrared imaging because of his work with molecules in the chemistry labs at WPI, where he received his bachelor of science degree in 2005.

He and a few fellow Marines developed a prototype when they were off-duty and, once it was ready, they took it on patrols to test its effectiveness. According to Staff Sgt. Christopher Singley, Sgt. Cox’s platoon commander, there wasn’t much time to put the device to use before they were shipped back to the United States, but they did try it out.

“We found one IED with the device in only the couple of weeks we were using it,” he said.

Sgt. Cox assembled his research findings into a presentation that he gave to his commanding officers in September 2006, and plans have advanced to purchase more equipment needed to create the device for use in war zones. “Engineers are taking what (Sgt. Cox) used and are making a better design to mount in vehicles,” Staff Sgt Singley said.

The Marines Corps quickly recognized the importance of Sgt. Cox’s invention and this past July he received the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal in a ceremony at Fort Devens.

“Cox’s initiative, perseverance and total dedication to duty reflected credit upon him and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service,” said Lt. Col. B.L. Sulc, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve commanding officer, 1st Battalion, 25th Marines.

Like many soldiers, coming home from Iraq was not easy for Sgt. Cox. “I lost a year of grad work,” he said. “It was hard getting back into the swing of things.”

It was also difficult for his wife, Maegan, whom he married right after returning from Iraq.

“I love being a Marine,” Sgt. Cox said. “It’s an important part of my life, but it takes a toll on my family.”

Recently, Sgt. Cox has added a new role to those of scientist and Marine. He became a father. His daughter, Norah, was born about five months ago.

Asked how fatherhood compares with lab work and patrolling in Fallujah, Sgt. Cox laughed. “They all present their own challenges,” he said. “Being a father is very satisfying.”